The club has until 3pm on Wednesday, 28th November 2012 to respond to the Notice of Complaint.

Should the offer of a fixed suspension be rejected, a Fast Track Tribunal will be convened on Thursday, 29th November 2012 to consider the complaint.

The management staff and player are currently considering their options.

Archive

TV: McCall hoping for United reprisal

Monday 26 November 2012

‘Well boss Stuart McCall says he there is a determination amongst his squad to win at Tannadice and right wrongs of three weeks ago.

The Steelmen last faced Peter Houston’s side and slipped to a 1-0 home defeat despite creating numerous chances, including being denied by both the post and crossbar.

Talented Arabs hitman Johnny Russell separated the sides with an excellent header eight minutes from time and it’s something McCall is certain will be in the players’ minds ahead of tomorrow’s match.

[pullquote]We are well aware of their attacking threat but likewise they know we have good attacking players and our away form has been exceptional of late.[/pullquote]

He said: “I don’t think there’s any doubt we deserved something last time we played United. In fairness to Dundee United, they are getting the little things now that they weren’t getting earlier in the season.

“They’ve turned three draws against us, St Mirren and Ross County, into wins and that has been terrific for them.

“They’re showing good spirit and we are well aware of their attacking threat but likewise they know we have good attacking players and our away form has been exceptional of late.

“We certainly go to have a go at teams and try to score goals. It has been easier to play away from home this season; not that I’m saying it will be easy on Tuesday night but the shackles are certainly off when teams come at us and leave a little more space for us to play.”

Madden in charge at Tannadice

Monday 26 November 2012

Referee for Tuesday’s Clydesdale Bank Premier League clash with Dundee Utd at Tannadice will be Bobby Madden.

It will only be Bobby’s fourth ever Motherwell game. His first was back in January of last season as the Steelmen slipped to a disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to Inverness; Grégory Tadé grabbing the game’s only goal.

His second was the thrilling 5-1 win over St Johnstone as Motherwell reaffirmed their grip on third spot in the SPL. Goals that day from Higdon, Law, Murphy and an Ojamaa double all but ended Saints’ hopes of nicking the best of the rest gong last season.

The most recent was this season’s 3-3 draw with Aberdeen at Pittodrie. Motherwell had raced into a 3-1 lead courtesy of goals from Higdon, Hutchinson and Law but a late Aberdeen fightback handed Craig Brown’s men a draw.

The 33-year old has been fourth official on a number of occasions, including Aberdeen in the Scottish Cup last season and the Semi Final with St Johnstone at Hampden.

The whistler busy already this campaign, with domestic duties topped up with games in the Europa League with FK Vojvodina vs FK Suduva and Elfsborg Boras vs AC Horsens.

In addition, he handled the Spain U21’s 5-0 demolition of Denmark as well as Under 19s matches in both Austria and Hungary.

He was also the man in the middle for the World Cup Qualifier between Germany and the Faroe Islands; the home side running out 3-0 winners.

His most recent SPL appointment was last weekend when Aberdeen ran out impressive 1-0 winners at Easter Road.

Bobby will be ably assisted by Charlie Smith and Stuart Hodge with Gary Hilland on fourth official duties.

Archive

U20s at Fir Park this Wednesday

Sunday 25 November 2012

Jonatan Johansson’s Under 20s side return to action this midweek when they face Inverness Caledonian Thistle at Fir Park.

The youths have had to wait an extra week for a game after the proposed fixture against St Johnstone last Tuesday was shifted to protect the Fir Park pitch in the midst of a bleak weather.

Ironically, it’s the second attempt at playing the Highlanders after the original match earlier this month had to be moved due to the first-team’s match with Dundee Utd the day after.

Kick-off at Fir Park is at 1pm with admission for this match free of charge.

TV: McCall concedes fair result

‘Well boss Stuart McCall admitted a draw was fair after Motherwell and Hearts slugged out a 0-0 draw at Fir Park.

Neither team really got going in what was a pretty low key afternoon at Fir Park.

Chances were at a premium with only Ryan Stevenson, Michael Higdon and Chris Humphrey making goalkeepers Jamie MacDonald and Darren Randolph work for their money.

McCall was slightly frustrated at not breaking down a rigid Hearts rearguard but conceded the draw was a fair account.

[pullquote]When it’s tight you have to take the positives and the positive is we’ve kept a clean sheet for the first time since the opening game of the season.[/pullquote]

He told MFC TV: “I said prior to the game that they probably have one of the strongest defences in the league.

“They started the game better, their one man up front gave them an extra man in midfield and they probably used that slightly better without really creating any great danger. We’ve had a good chance with Higgy’s header but in the first half we weren’t good enough.

“In the second half we started better and were the dominant side. Chris and Higgy have had good chances and there were some half chances.

“When it’s tight you have to take the positives and the positive is we’ve kept a clean sheet for the first time since the opening game of the season.”

Motherwell 0 – 0 Hearts

Motherwell and Hearts were both forced to accept a point after playing out a scrappy 0-0 draw at Fir Park this afternoon.

Neither side really took a foothold in the game albeit Ryan Stevenson brought out a decent save from Darren Randolph early in the first-half, whilst Michael Higdon’s header forced Jamie MacDonald into a good save low to his left.

The Steelmen upped the tempo and probably just about shaded the second half, Chris Humphrey having the best chance with a stinging low effort that was well saved by the Hearts number one.

It wasn’t a game that will live long in the memory and both sides would perhaps accept a share of the spoils.

McCall named the same starting eleven that tore strips off Inverness last weekend but it was the visitors Hearts who started brighter and Darren Randolph had to be on his toes inside the opening minute to deny one-time Motherwell signing target Ryan Stevenson.

Shaun Hutchinson was adjudged to have felled Jamie Walker on the edge, allowing the midfielder to hit. His curling effort looked goal bound but for the outstretched hand of the Irish International to turn it round for a corner.

Higdon replied for the Steelmen shortly after but his header from a teasing Chris Humphrey cross bounced wide of the post.

Shortly after referee Crawford Allan waved away Hearts protest after a clash between ‘Well keeper Darren Randolph and Hearts striker Callum Paterson. The Steelmen stopper appeared to catch the youngster when coming out to collect a deflected through ball. Referee Crawford Allan was only yards away and waved away the protests.

The hosts were coming more and more into it as an attacking threat, but it proved a tough task against a well-oiled and disciplined Hearts defence. Chris Humphrey did manage to penetrate the Maroon rearguard with a terrific cross into the area for Higdon, but he was denied by MacDonald who got a great hand to turn it away.

As the game moved towards the break, it was the Fir Parkers who looked most likely to get themselves in front but, in truth, neither side created much in the way of guilt-edged chances.

Hearts full-back Danny Grainger, the difference between the sides at Tynecastle last month, appeared to pick up a nasty knee knock before the break. He lasted no more than five minutes of the second half before being replaced by Moroccan Mehdi Taouil as John McGlynn switched his side around.

The majority of the second half was played in midfield with both teams working hard but not producing much in the way of quality.

The game’s only real moment of quality came with ten minutes to go when, after collecting a Keith Lasley pass, Jamaican international Humphrey got to the edge of the area, cut inside and smashed a low shot that forced MacDonald into another good block.

Both sides searched for the winner but it wasn’t forthcoming. Ryan McGowan could have nicked it for the visitors deep into injury time when he got on the end of a Novikovas corner but his header bounced narrowly wide of Randolph’s left-hand post.[tab:As it happened]

30mins: And straight up the other end, Ojamaa sees his shot bobble just past the post.

30mins: Patient build up from Hearts allows Paterson some space to shoot. His effort from 20 yards is straight to Randolph though.

28mins: Murphy looking sharp on the counter-attack. He dribbled 50 yards before laying off to Humphrey who overcooks the cross.

25mins: Hammell booked for hauling down his man to prevent a breakaway.

24mins: best chance of the game! Another great ball in from Humphrey which Higdon directs goalward, Tipped past by MacDonald.

19mins: Dangerous ball across goal from Paterson almost found Walker lurking at the back post. Hateley on hand to clear.

16mins: Bit of a slow start from Motherwell. Jambos on top so far.

11mins: Bit of a let off there! McGowan burst through between Cummins and Hammell. His touch was a bit heavy and Randolph collected.

7mins: First good chance for ‘Well. Humphrey with a fantastic whipped cross which Higdon lept and met with his head. Just past.

3mins: Early chance for Hearts. Stevenson with a drilled free kick. Great save from Randolph to tip past.

1min: And we’re off. Come on!

[tab:Reaction]

Motherwell manager Stuart McCall:

“It was typical of what we thought might happen, a stalemate. They were probably slightly better in the first half, but in the second half we upped the tempo a bit and early on we had a couple of opportunities.”

“Their keeper made a few decent saves. I think a draw is a fair outcome. I believed them to be strong defensively and so it proved.

“When it’s a tight game you are hoping for that one chance to fall. The pleasing thing is we got a clean sheet.

“We were better in the second half and a draw is probably a fair result. It was always going to be a tight game.

“We maybe could have nicked but it wasn’t to be. There will be no doom and gloom.”

Hearts manager John McGlynn:

“If you make sure your opponent’s scoreline reads zero then you’ve obviously got a chance of winning the game at the other end.

“It was a hard-earned point for us. We had to ensure we didn’t open up and give early ammunition to Motherwell.

“There wasn’t too much goalmouth action but defensively we were very good. I thought we stifled them very well.”

“We’ve got to take the positives from that and we’ve found it difficult here in the past. A point’s not a disaster.”

[tab:Man-of-the-match]

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Archive

Matchday Live: vs Hearts

Saturday 24 November 2012

Motherwell are back in SPL action when they take on Hearts at Fir Park today – kick-off is 12.45pm.

TEAMS:

The Teams will appear here just after 11.45am.

TICKETS:

Tickets are still available on the gate at Fir Park. Admission is priced at: